In the wake of allegations of insufficient preventative measures against data breaches, the highly esteemed Marymount Manhattan College, based in the heart of New York City, has committed to a substantial payment of $1.3 million. This decision comes as a consequence of the college being targeted in a cyberhacking incident in November 2021 that put the personal information of numerous students at risk.
The lawsuit brought against the private institution accused the college of inadequately protecting sensitive student data, which was exposed as a result of the data breach. The disclosed information included highly confidential details such as Social Security numbers, posing a significant risk of identity theft and financial fraud for the affected students. Are you entitled to one of these payments? Find out here.
Marymount Manhattan College will pay $1.3 million on this settlement: Get your money now
Despite agreeing to the substantial settlement, Marymount Manhattan College remains firm in its denial of any culpability in the incident. In an official statement, the institution contended that they had always placed the utmost importance on the protection of student information, with stringent security measures in place to safeguard against such breaches.
The settlement provides the impacted students with an avenue to seek financial redress for the inconvenience, distress, and potential monetary losses incurred as a result of the breach. Those who can provide documentation of the time and resources spent managing the fallout from the breach may claim up to $750 in compensation.
This not only covers direct expenses such as charges for credit monitoring and identity theft protection services but also factors in lost time spent dealing with the breach, calculated at an hourly rate. Thus, the reimbursement is intended to ease the burden of the affected students who had to invest significant time and effort in safeguarding their financial profiles and personal identities.
Claiming the post-breach compensation: Understanding the terms and deadlines of the Marymount Settlement
Moreover, individuals who can demonstrate they suffered tangible financial losses directly attributable to the breach stand to receive a higher compensation, with claims of up to $7,500 permissible under the terms of the settlement.
Interestingly, the settlement provisions also account for individuals who may not have directly incurred out-of-pocket expenses or suffered apparent losses due to the cyberattack. This category of affected individuals, identified as members of the ‘class’, are still eligible for a compensatory payment of $150. This amount recognizes the potential inconvenience and emotional distress caused by the knowledge of their personal information being compromised.
To qualify for this settlement amount, individuals must have been on the receiving end of an official email communication from Marymount Manhattan College. This correspondence would have confirmed that their personal information was indeed among the data compromised during the November 2021 data breach incident.
The timeline for claim submissions is strict, with a deadline set for August 15. It is imperative that all affected individuals who wish to claim compensation, whether they suffered a direct financial loss or not, submit their claim by this date to be eligible for the payout. Beyond this date, the opportunity to receive a share of the settlement will be forfeited.
In summary, the consequences of the November 2021 data breach at Marymount Manhattan College continue to reverberate. The $1.3 million settlement is a stark reminder of the high stakes involved in maintaining data security and the severe implications for organizations that fall victim to such cyberattacks.
How much can affected students claim in compensation for the Marymount Manhattan College data breach
The amount that affected students can claim in compensation for the Marymount Manhattan College data breach would depend on several factors, including the nature and extent of the breach, the specific damages suffered by the students, and any applicable laws or regulations governing data breaches and compensation. It is recommended that affected students to consult with legal experts, such as consumer privacy and data breach lawyers, to understand their rights and options for seeking compensation.
Google and Yahoo! data breach settlements checks are also being rolled out
In 2019, Yahoo! Inc. he had a serious problem with a large security breach that impacted the confidential information of thousands of users. Some users of their services claim that they have received an apology letter with a check for $61.08.
Yahoo! it agreed to pay $117 million to settle claims it failed to protect and respond to data breaches a decade ago. If you’re a lucky one that will claim that money, you’ve got until the end of September to cash it.
Furthermore, Google is also sending checks related to a different data breach that also impacted thousands of individuals. In 2022, Google settled a series of large-scale lawsuits, agreeing to pay almost $600 million to the affected states and users. In one of the lawsuits filed in California, victims who saw their data breached, have until the end of July 2023 to file the claim, according to the settlement’s website.
The plaintiffs allege that Google’s search engine disclosed their personal search queries to third-party advertisers without obtaining their consent, thereby exposing users’ personal information. The lawsuit further asserts that advertisers paid Google to gain insights into specific search-related elements that influenced a customer’s decision to click on a particular page. The legal action claims that Google’s data-sharing practices contravened the federal Stored Communications Act and California state laws.
You could get up to $5,000 in cash, if you got affected in the Maxim Healthcare Services data breach
Another such data breach incident occurred in 2020, when Maxim Healthcare Services, Inc., a renown home healthcare services company, experienced a data breach that compromised the information of over 28,000 individuals. These individuals, whose data was exposed to cybercriminals, could potentially be eligible for up to $5,000 in damages.
However, time is of the essence, as the affected parties must take action and submit their claims before July 24 to secure their settlement payments. This article delves into the details of the data breach, the implications it has for those affected, and the steps they need to take to receive their compensation.
According to the lawsuit, for the 28,425 individuals whose information was compromised, the exposure of such highly sensitive data leaves them vulnerable to various forms of identity theft, financial fraud, and potential harm to their personal and professional lives. You could find if you’re one of the beneficiaries of this data breach in the lawsuit official website.
Class action lawsuit: Parker Hannifin data breach settlement to pay up to $1.75 million to affected individuals
In a significant development, Parker Hannifin, a renowned global leader in motion and control technologies company, has agreed to a $1.75 million class action lawsuit settlement to resolve claims regarding a data breach that compromised employees information. The breach, which happened in March 2022, exposed sensitive data, including Social Security numbers and health insurance information.
The settlement benefits both current and former employees of Parker Hannifin who received a letter letting them know that they were affected by this security failure. This inclusion of both current and former employees ensures that individuals who were part of the company during the breach are appropriately compensated for any harm they may have suffered as a result.
The final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for Aug. 2, 2023 but, affected ones must have filled the claim by July 14, 2023. The potential award varies on every particular case, depending on the level of impact.
The different types of data beaches: How hackers could steal your sensitive data
Data breaches can take several forms, including hacking, phishing, malware, ransomware, and physical theft. Anyone is different, and you need to comprehend them all because, all of us we are online: social media, banks accounts, and much more are sensitive data exposed to criminals.
- Hacking: Malicious actors employ various techniques to breach security systems and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. This can involve exploiting vulnerabilities in software, brute-forcing passwords, or using social engineering tactics to trick individuals into revealing confidential information.
- Phishing: Phishing attacks typically involve the use of fraudulent emails or websites designed to deceive individuals into disclosing their personal information, such as login credentials or financial details. These deceptive tactics often mimic legitimate entities, such as banks or reputable organizations, to gain victims’ trust.
- Malware and Ransomware: Malicious software, commonly known as malware, can be introduced into a system through infected files, downloads, or compromised websites. Ransomware, a type of malware, encrypts victims’ data and demands a ransom in exchange for its release. Both malware and ransomware can lead to data breaches by allowing unauthorized access or control over sensitive information.
- Physical Theft: Data breaches are not solely confined to the digital realm. Physical theft of devices or documents containing sensitive data can result in unauthorized access and potential misuse of personal information. For example, a stolen laptop or a misplaced USB drive may contain confidential files that, if accessed, could lead to a data breach.